Between The Yees And The Haws

West Bennettson

Name: West Bennettson
Age: 33
Occupation: General Store Owner
Created By/Modeled After: Bennett Aguirre

   West rubbed his eyes, tired and wanting to get home as soon as possible. He had fallen asleep on the store counter. It was almost nightfall, which was when he got the least amount of action in the store.

   Someone walked in. It was Willy, the kook who lived in the old church. He was holding an envelope.

"I think our mail got mixed up." He chuckled. "I ain't married to no Mrs. Bennettson." He said, handing the envelope to West.

"It's says Bennettson?"

"Mrs. Evangeline Bennettson, yeah. Didn't know you had a wife." Willy smiled. "How come sh-"

"That ain't my wife, partner." West laughed. "That's my mama."

"Oh...well, you got a letter from your mama! That's excitin', I suppose!" Willy told him. West shook his head.

"Nah. It means someone died." He said. "But thanks for the letter, partner."

"Yeah...don't mention it." Willy smiled. West said goodbye and Willy walked out. He couldn't help but wonder what had gotten into Willy, why he was so sane all of a sudden. He didn't have time to dwell on that. He began to open the letter from his mother.

Dear West,

It is with much excitement that I tell you your brother is finally tying the knot! I reckon we've been waiting for this for all seven years he spent with that girl. I do hope I'll see you at the ceremony. It's in fifteen days. And bring a nice girl, would you? I don't wanna have a son to worry about. Promise me you'll settle down soon, honey. I love you.

Your lovin' mama,
Evangeline.

   A quick letter, but it stung nonetheless. West groaned. How was he supposed to find a girl to bring home in fifteen days? A girl that his mother would like, too?

   West had felt the pressure to get married ever since he turned twenty years old. His family was a very traditional and uptight bunch, and the weight of their expectations eventually got to him so much that he moved out of town and found his own place.

   He became friends with the old shopkeep of the general store in Buckleton, and the shopkeep treated him like a son. When he died, he left the entire business to West. It was difficult to run the whole store, but West was thankful that he was given such easy access to a good job and way of living.

   West's family was upset with him for leaving, and even threatened to disown him, but they came around. He was their son, after all. Still, the pressure of how to live his life never really went away.

   He thought of all of his female friends here in Buckleton. There sure as hell weren't that many. Abigail? No, she wasn't his friend. Was she? He wasn't ready to have that conversation with her. Vanilla? Maybe. Although Vanilla was a very independent woman. He figured she wouldn't want to be just an accessory to West to make his family happy. Vivian? Yeah, Vivian! She was quiet and smart, his parents would be over the moon if he brought a girl like her home. He had a feeling she was still working her shift. He'd go to her later.

"Hey, West? You in here?" He heard a woman's voice call. The shop's front door opened.

"Yeah, I'm here, Yee! What's goin' on?" He said once he saw the woman in front of him. Yee Yee smiled and shrugged.

"Nothin', that's the problem. Abigail and I normally always meet for dinner but she's taken a liking to that new chick. What's her name?" Yee Yee asked. West raised an eyebrow.

"Erm...Sally, I reckon?" He said. She shook her head.

"Not her. The other one. The one with the daughter...or was it sister?"

"Oh! Leigh-Anne! She and Mary-Rose came by the shop yesterday for a few things. Mary-Rose is the little one. She's a cutie." West smiled. Yee Yee rolled her eyes.

"Yeah well now they're becomin' a thing I suppose." She sighed. "Which is fine, I don't got a problem with Abigail bein' happy. Just kinda shit how my night is borin' as hell now."

"Well, you could help me take inventory." West chuckled. She laughed.

"Sounds riveting." They both laughed and before they could say anything else, someone else walked in.

"Ar! Shit, man! Moonshine's worried sick about you! You ain't come to the bar last night, and I guess you ain't goin' tonight neither." West told him. Ar shrugged.

"Ain't that a good thing?" He asked.

"He just wants to make sure you're...ya know..." Yee Yee's breath hitched. "Alive."

"Why the hell wouldn't I be alive?" Ar Yan muttered. Yee Yee scoffed.

"Have you seen what you do to yourself, motherfucker?" She asked him. Ar hiccuped.

"Ar are you...drunk right now?" West asked.

"You ain't ever care about my well bein' before, why's now any different?" Ar snapped at him. West took a step back.

"Sorry, partner." West mumbled.

"I just came here 'cause I need carrots." He said, stumbling to the produce section.

"Carrots?" West asked. "Why you need carrots?"

"For Ace. Vanilla's horse. It's a thank you. For listenin' to me spill my shit every mornin'." He explained. "God I just wish...I just wish I could find someone who cared, ya know? And someone who also wants to be listened to, hell! I wanna have a goddamn meaningful conversation for just once in my life. This stupid FUCKING hick town ain't ever done nothin' for me." Ar rambled, letting everything out at once. He was on the verge of tears. "Just someone...someone to listen. And someone to help me." He started to cry. Yee Yee was unsure if she should comfort him, but he seemed to react fine to her hand patting his back.

"We...we ain't had any idea about that, partner." West told him. "I'm really sorry."

"It's...it's okay." He sniffled. Yee Yee shook her head.

"No. No, it ain't okay. And you're right. This stupid hick town ain't do nothin' for ya. And it ain't do nothin' for me. It ain't do nothin' for any of us, goddammit. And we all deserve better!" She yelled. "You deserve better, Ar. I'm real sorry you're havin' a tough time. And...I feel like absolute shit for seein' you the way I did. Just a drunk. You're a person, buddy. And you deserve to be heard. You deserve to find your happiness." She gave him a half-smile, her hand still on his back. Ar wiped his eyes.

"Th-thank you, Yee." He said. "I'm gonna find it. I promise." He told the both of them. "I'm gonna find my happiness here in Buckleton and there ain't a damn thing no one can do to stop me." He started to smile. "Oh and...I'll come back and get the carrots some other time. I'm gonna go down to the bar and let Moonshine know I'm alright." Ar smiled at Yee Yee. "Thanks again, Yee. I really do appreciate it."

"Don't mention it." She smiled. Ar waved them goodbye and headed out the door.

"Well shit, Yee." West said. "I didn't know you had such a way with words."

"I don't think so, I think I just say what I feel needs to be heard." She tilted her head at West. "Don't you?"

"I guess." West told her. He looked at her. He had gained a new respect for this woman. How her words resonated not only with Ar but with him, too. "Hey..." he began. "Do you wanna come with me to my brother's weddin', Yee?"